Venetian blind bottom bar organization



June 10, 1952 H. K. LORENTZEN v 2,600,062

VENETIAN BLIND BOTTOM BAR ORGANIZATION Filed Dec. 6, 1950 /2 FIG 7 \22 INVENTOR H/I/VS KLORtWfZE/V Mrzca,

zlS ATTORNEYS Patented June 1 0, 1952 VENETIANBLIND BOTTOMBAR ORGANIZATION Hans K. Lorentzen, Florham Park, N. J assignor to Lorentz'en: Hardware Mfg; Corp, New York, N. Y.',-a corporation of New York Application December 6, 1950, Serial No; 199,48

11 Claims. (01.1-60-17-8) This invention relates to Venetian blinds and, more particularly, to a Venetian blind bottom bar assembly and fittings therefor".

A Venetian blind is essentially an assembly of spaced, superimposed slats supported by two or more so-called ladder tapes, each ladder tape consisting of a pair-of spaced, vertical tapes connected at intervals by short, horizontal tapes called rungs which support the slats; A somewhat heavier, lowermost slat termed the bottom bar receives the lower ends of the ladder tapes.

Venetian blinds are customarily provided with two or more lift cords, the lift cords usually being passed downwardly through holes in the slats adjacent each ladder tape and anchored to the bottom bar. In raising the blind to open position, the lift cords are pulled upwardly so as to raise the bottom bar,the ladder tapes collapsing and the slats accumulating on the top of the bottom bar. It is sometimes desirable to remove some or all of the slats of the blind for cleaning or replacement: and the slats cannot be withdrawn from the ladder tapes without first detaching the lift cords-from the bottom bar and pulling the lift cords as in raising the blind to withdraw the cordsfrom' the slats.

In the form shown of the present invention, a bottom bar assembly is comprised of a sheet metal channel of generally rectangular cross section, the open side of. which is. closed by a cover which may be. formed ofa Venetian blind slat. The lower ends of. each ladder tape and associated lift cord are received by a stamped sheet metal anchor located between the channel and the cover and having ladder-tape-engaging portions and a lift-cord -engaging portionof the so-called keyhole slot type which is-adapted to receive the end of a liftcord to Whichan enlargement, such as a sheet metal bead,previously has been attached. The anchor is par-- ticularly adapted for easy insertion or withdrawal of the lift cord and is located beneath each lift cord openingor. routholeot the bottom bar cover, the anchor beingslidable relative to the cover to uncover the'large end of the keyhole slot for insertion or withdrawal of. the cord and to uncover the smaller end of the: slot for retention of the cord. In some respects,

this assembly and fitting; is an improvement over that shown in Harry Nelson application S. N.780,653 and my prior application S. Ni 142,492. This fitting and: assembly has an-improved appearance and g firmly retains the lift cord; and, at the same:time;, the lift cord c'an be easily detached or attached without disassembling the bottom: bar.

An object of this invention is to provide an improvedmetal bottom bar assembly and fitting for Venetian blinds, in which the lift cord is securely anchored within the bottom bar, that may be quickly detached or attached without specialtool's andwithout disassembling the bottom bar, and which'has an improved appearance.

Other. objectsof this invention areto provide such anassembly which may: be easily and economically fabricated from rolled or stamped sheet metal parts, which is easily assembled, and which is durable and dependable in operation.

Other objects, and objects relating to details and economies of manufacture, assembly, and use, will more definitely appear in the detailed description to follow. 7

My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims; In the claims, as well as-in thed'escription, parts are at times identified by specific names for clarity and convenience, but-such nomenclature is" to be understood as havingthe broadestmeaning consistent with the context and with the concept of my invention as distinguished from the pertinent prior art. The best form in which-I have contemplated applying' my invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings forming-part of thisspecification, in which: I

Fig; l is a perspective-view of" a lift cord and ladder tape anchor constructed in'accordance with the present invention;

Fig} 2 is a perspective 'viewof a bottom bar assembly; only aportion of the bottom bar, lift cord, and"laddertape being shown. Theuse of a screw' driver to displace the-anchor in order to release the lift cord is showndiagrammatically.

Fig. 3 is a vix'ew similar to'Fig; 2, the lift cord anchor having beenzdispla'c'ed and the lift cord disengagedfi'om the bottom'ba'r'.

Fig. 4 -is a:top" plan view of' the assembly, only a portion-ofthebottom bar and-ladder't'ape beingshown} The lift cord has been omitted from this View. a

Fig. 5 is. a transverse: section through" the bot tom b'arass'embly, includingtheilift cord and ladderr tape, takenorr the lin'e 5'5r of Fig. 45.

Fig. 6 is a verticalzsectio'n' of the assembly'taken on the line 6=6-- of Fig. 5; the lift cord being shown engaged With the anchor.

Fig; 7 is a view' similar to Fig; 6, the anchor havingqbeen displaced and:the lift corddisengaged' from the bottom bar.

bar assembly, with which the lift cord and ladder tape anchor of the present invention is associated, is formed of a bottom bar channel Ill and a cover II closing the open side of the channel. The channel I0, which is of uniform cross section throughout its length, may have the cross section indicated in Fig. 5 in which a sheet metai strip has been formed into a channel of generally rectangular cross section havin a generally flat bottom wall I2 and upwardly extending side walls I4, I 4 terminating in inwardly directed longitudinal edges I5, I5. In the form of channel shown in Fig. 5, portions of the bottom wall I2 have been folded upwardly to form two parallel ribs l6, I6 extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the channel and terminating generally between the edges I5, I5 of the channel.

The cover II for the open side of the bottom bar channel is preferably formed of a resilient,

transversely arched strip of metal such as metal Venetian blind slat stock. Holes H are provided for entrance of the lower ends of the lift cords into the bottom bar assembly. These holes may conveniently be formed on the same machine used for punching the lift cord holes in the metal slats of a Venetian blind.

The cover I I is held in position on the channel ID by the edges I5, l5 of the channel which overlie the edges of the cover. The cover may be inserted in the channel either by telescoping it with the channel or springing it into engagement by temporarily bending the channel to increase its transverse curvature. An end cap, not shown, is preferably used to close the ends of the bottom bar channel l0 so as to improve the appearance of the bottom bar.

A lift cord and ladder tape anchor I9 is located between the cover II and the ribs IE, IS of the channel at each of the holes I! in the cover for receiving the lift cords. tion is disclosed in Nelson application S. N. 780,653. 7

The anchor I9 of the present invention, which is in some respects an improvement over that shown in the Nelson application and my prior application S. N. 142,492, may be formed of a generally rectangular sheet metal stamping adapted to fit between the side walls I4, I4 of the bottom bar channel and between the ribs I6, I6 of the channel and the underside of the cover II. The anchor has a generally flat central portion formed to detachably secure the lower end of a lift cord 2I of the blind and side portions 22, 22 formed to engage the lower ends of the ladder tape 24. The anchor I9 is formed to follow generally the transverse arch of the cover II by inclining the side portions 22, 22 downwardly slightly from the central portion 20.

The central portion 20 of the anchor I9 is provided with a so-called keyhole slot which is formed of a larger slot portion or hole 26 convergin into a somewhat smaller slot portion or hole 21 through a necked-down transition portion 29 of a lesser width than either of the slot portions 26 or 21. The larger slot 26 may have the generally semicircular form shown in Fig. 1 and is sufiiciently large to readily admit an enlargement such as the sheet metal bead 30 crimped about the lower end of the lift cord 2 I.

The smaller slot portion 21 is preferably generally oval in outline, the narrow dimension of the slot portion being slightly greater than the diameter of the lift cord H and lesser than the diameter of the head 30. As will be explained subsequently, the length of this portion of the This general organizaslot is such that the closed end (end away from the larger slot portion 26) preferably extends beyond the side of the hole I? in the cover II at all times.

The transition portion 29 of the slot is preferably slightly narrower in width than the diameter of the lift cord so as to require that the cord be crowded somewhat to force it from the larger into the smaller portions of the slot 25. Preferably, the transition portion 29 of the slot is short to facilitate squeezing of the cord therethrough, and the sides of the slot converge slightly towards the smaller portion 27 of the slot to assist in entering the lift cord therein.

The marginal area SI of the anchor about the smaller slot portion 27 is upwardly inclined away from the transition portion 29 at the open end of the slot and towards the closed end thereof. This area engages the bead 30 at the lower end of the lift cord and the inclination of the area serves to bias the lift cord and bead away from the open end of the slot portion when the lift cord is supporting the bottom bar, as in raising the blind. A cam surface 32 of the central portion of the anchor 19 serves to join the upper edge of the area 33 with the general plane of the portion. The function of this surface will be described in connection with the operation of the bottom bar assembly as a whole.

A pair of upwardly projecting tabs 34, 3 2 are located one on each side of the portion 29 of the slot 25. These tabs may be formed from metal displaced in forming the larger slot portion 28 and project upwardly slightly higher than the upper edge of the marginal area 3|. The function of these tabs will be explained hereinafter in connection with the operation of the assembly.

The side portions 22, 22 of the anchor I9 may be provided with means for engagin the individually looped lower ends of the ladder tape branches. This ladder-tape-engaging means may comprise an opposed long finger 35 and short finger 36 struck from and extending parallel to and slightly below each side portion 22. In engaging the ladder tape branch with the fingers 35 and 35, the tape branch is first crowded onto the long finger 35 and then shifted to also extend about the short finger 36, the combined length of the fingers approximating the width of the ladder tape so as to receive the tape in flat condition. The edge 31 of each side portion 22 opposite the fingers 35 and 35 may be depressed slightly to provide additional clearance for passage of the ladder tape branch between the edges of the anchor and the inturned longitudinal edges l5, I5 of the'channel Ii). Similar side portions 22, 22 are shown and claimedin Nelson application S. N. 780,653.

In assembling the bottom bar organization, the looped lower ends of the ladder tapes 24 are engaged within fingers 35 and 36, a separate anchor being used for each ladder tape. The cover II, which has previously had lift cord holes I1 formed therein, is then placed on the anchors I9 with the tabs 34, 34 of the anchors projecting upwardly through the holes. The cover may then be assembled onto the bottom bar channel If! either by telescoping the channel onto the cover or by springing the cover into position within the channel.

After the slats of the blind have been assembled onto the ladder tapes 24 in the usual manner, the lift cords 2| may be passed downwardly through the holes in the slats. The lift cord holes in the slats and in the cover II are sumagenda ciently 'wide to p'ass "theb'ea'd '30 at the bottom end "ofeach liftcord. K,

To insert thelift cord end within the'bottom bar, the anchor l9 isforcedto'theleft'as viewed in the drawin s so as to force the tabs 34, '34 a ainst'the left side of the'hole "l1 in'the cover, thus aligning the larger slot portion zfi with the hole in the cover (see Figs. 3 and 7) The anchor may be forced along the bottom bar by pressing with a screw driver or by hand against the tabs 34, 33 (see Fig. 2.). The anchor ifi'may also'be moved along the bottom bar by grasping the ladder tape branches immediately above the bottom bar and pulling them inthe direction in which it is desired to move the anchor. v

After the bead on'the lift cord has been entered within the bottom bar, the anchor l9 may be moved to the right as viewed in the drawings, the lift cord 2! being guided into the transition portion 29 of the slot 25. Upon pressing the anchor 19 further to the right,'the lift cord is crowded against the right margin of the lift cord hole I1 and forced into the smaller slot portion 21, which is smaller than the diameter of the bead 30 and, thus, retains the end of the lift cord. The tabs 34, 34 limit movement of the anchor l9 both to the right and to the left.

The anchor I9 is frictionally engaged between the ribs l6, 16 of the'bottom bar channel and the underside of the resilient cover II. Fortuitous movement of the anchor to release the lift cord is resisted by the raised part of the liftcord-engaging portion of the anchor, including the area 3| and cam surface 32 which are received within the lift cord hole I! in the cover when the anchor is moved to the right into cord-engaging position (see Figs. 4 and 6). In moving the anchor to the left, the cam surface 32 engages the margin of the lift cord hole I! of the cover so as to force the central portion of the cover upwardly slightly against its bias (Fig. '7).

The upwardly inclined area 3| about the slot portion 2 tends to center the lift cord in the hole I! whenever the blind is raised and the weight of the bottom bar assembly is supported by the lift cords, which further tends to prevent fortuitous disengagement of the lift cords from the bottom bar. As explained above, the smaller slot portion 21 is sufficiently long to project beyond the far or left side of the lift cord hole 11 of the cover II when the tabs 34, 34 are against the right-hand side of the lift cord hole (see Figs. 2, 4, and 6). Accordingly, there is no tendency for the anchor IE! to be moved to the left relative to the cover and into lift-cord-releasing position, even though the lift cord 2| be pulled sharply to the left as viewed in the drawings, since the lateral component of this pull will be resisted principally by the left side edge of the lift cord hole H.

The above-described organization is pleasing in appearance and will safely and dependably retain the lift cords, and at the same time the lift cords may be detached quickly and without the use of special tools or disassembly of the bottom bar to permit removal of the slats for cleaning or replacement.

In the form shown of the present invention, a single anchor has been shown for both the lift. cord and ladder tape, but is within the purview of theinvention to use separate anchors or attaching means for the lift cord and for the ladder tape.

1 4... n l .l I, l. .:.l l. Ayenetian blind bottom bar as'semblm'comprising a bottom bar channel, a cover closing the'open sideof the "channel and provided with holes for receiving the'ends of theliftcords of a 'blind, and a lift'cord anchor located Within the channel beneath each lift cord hole 'and'dis- 'placeable' lengthwise of the channel, the anchor being formed of a plate having an opening registrable with the lift cord hole for admitting the terminal'enlargementof a" lift cord and merging into a smaller opening to retain the lift cord registrable with'the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor.

'2, A Venetian blind bottom bar assembly, comprising a bottom bar'channel, a cover closing the open side 'of the channel and' provided with holes for receiving theen'ds' of the lift cords of 'a blind, and 'a' lift cord anchorlocated within the'channel beneath each lift cord hole and displaceable lengthwise of the channel, the anchor having an opening registrable with the lift cord hole for admitting the enlarged'end of a lift cord and merging through a transition portion into a smaller "opening registrable with the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor to retain the lift cord, and having a portion adjacent the transition portion of the slot and projecting upwardly through the lift cord hole for limiting dis plac'eriientmovement of meanchor.

3. 'A Venetian blind bottom bar assembly, comprising: a bottom bar channel, a cover closing the open side of the channel and provided with holes for receiving the ends of the lift cords of a blind,

and a lift cord anchor located within the channel beneath each lift cord hole and displaceable relative to the lift cord hole, the anchor having an opening registrable with the lift cord hole for admitting the terminal enlargement of a lift cord and merging into a smaller opening'registrable with the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor to retain the lift cord.

4-. AVenetian blind bottom bar assembly, comprising: a bottom bar channel, a cover closing the open'side of the "channel and provided with holes for receiving the ends of the lift cords of a blind, and a lift cord anchor located within the channel beneath each lift cord hole and displaceablelengthwiseof the channel, each anchor having an openingregistrable with the adjacent lift cord hole for admitting the terminal enlargement of a lift cord and merging into a smaller opening registrable with the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor to retain the lift cord, the portion of the anchor surrounding the smaller opening being inclined upwardly away from the open end thereof to aid in biasing the cord away from the larger opening.

5. A Venetian blind bottom bar assembly, comprising: a bottom bar channel, a cover closing the open side of the channel and provided with holes for receiving the ends of the lift cords of a blind, and a lift cord anchor located within the channel beneath each lift cord hole and displaceable lengthwise of the channel, each anchor being provided with a generally flat central portion having an opening registrable with the adjacent lift cord hole for admitting the terminal enlargement of a lift cord and merging into a smaller opening to retain the lift cord registrable with the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor, a portion of the anchor adjacent the smaller opening being inclined upwardly from the general level of the central portion.

6. A Venetian blind bottom bar assembly, comprising: a bottom bar channel, a cover closing the opening side of the channel and provided with holes for receiving the ends of the lift cords of a blind, and a lift cord anchor located within the channel beneath each lift cord hole and displaceable lengthwise of the channel, each anchor being provided with a generally fiat central portion having an opening registrable with the adjacent lift cord hole for admitting the terminal enlargement of a lift cord and merging into a smaller opening to retain the lift cord registrable with the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor, a portion of the anchor adjacent the smaller opening beinginclined upwardly from the general level of the central portion, and the anchor being provided with a short upward projection adjacent the merging portion of the openings received by the lift cord opening to limit displacement of the anchor.

'7. A Venetian blind bottom bar assembly, comprising: a bottom bar channel having upwardly and inwardly directed lateral edges and upstanding ribs projecting from the bottom between the inwardly directed edges, a resilient, transversely arched cover closing the open side of the channel and provided with holes for receiving terminal enlargements on the lift cords of a blind, and a lift cord anchor located beneath each lift cord hole and resiliently held between the upstanding ribs of the channel and the cover, the anchor being shaped to conform in general to the arched form of the cover, being displaceable lengthwise of the channel, and having an opening registrable with the lift cord hole for admitting the terminal enlargement of the lift cord and merging into a smaller opening to retain the enlargement registrable with the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor.

8. A bottom bar assembly as claimed in claim '7, in which each anchor is provided with a short upwardly projecting tab located at the transition portion of the slot and projecting through the lift cord hole to limit displacement of the anchor.

9. In the Venetian blind art, a lift cord anchor for a bottom bar assembly, said anchor comprising: a stamped sheet metal plate having a slot formed therein, one end portion of the slot being enlarged to admit a terminal enlargement on the end of a lift cord and the other end portion of the slot being somewhat smaller to retain the lift cord enlargement, and a projection extending upwardly from the plate opposite the transition between the smaller and larger end portions of the slot.

10. In the Venetian blind art, a lift cord anchor for a bottom bar assembly, said anchor comprising: a stamped sheet metal plate having a slot formed therein, one end portion of the slot being enlarged to admit a terminal enlargement on the end of the lift cord and the other end portion of the slot being somewhat smaller to retain the lift cord enlargement, and a short tab formed from the metal displaced in forming the slot and projecting upwardly from the plate opposite the transition between the smaller and larger end portions of the slot.

11. A Venetian blind bottom bar assembly, comprising: a bottom bar channel, a cover closing the open sideof the channel and provided with holes for receiving the ends of lift cords of the blind, a lift cord anchor located within the channel beneath each lift cord hole of the cover and displaceable lengthwise of the channel, each anchor being provided with a generally fiat central portion having an opening registrable with the adjacent lift cord hole for admitting the terminal enlargement of the lift cord and merging into a smaller opening registrable with the lift cord hole of the cover upon displacement of the anchor to retain the lift cord, the anchor being provided with a short upward projection adjacent the merging portion of the openings which is received by the lift cord opening to limit displacement of the anchor, the distance from said projection to the far end of the smaller opening being greater than the width of the lift cord hole of the cover.

HANS K. LORENTZEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,260,726 Rosenbaum Oct. 28, 194:1 2,314,461 Schaefer Mar. 23, 1943 2,508,742 Bell May 23, 1950 

